Presented in partnership with the Toronto Community Benefits Network, North York Community House, and the Provocation Ideas Festival.
Toronto's Lawrence Heights community is undergoing a dramatic transformation, as this once affordable community is filling with glass towers and townhomes. We'll introduce you to longtime community members impacted by the development from transit improvements and urban intensification. Then, you'll learn how community benefits agreements are offsetting some of these projects' challenging impacts.
There is an accompanying Jane's Walk happening the same day at 3:00pm in Lawrence Heights. Please join us for both or either parts of this important conversation.
Moderator
Kumsa Baker is the Director of Campaigns at the Toronto Community Benefits Network, a 120 member community-labour coalition whose goal is to negotiate Community Benefits Agreements as part of new urban infrastructure and development projects in Toronto. Kumsa also volunteers at various community, youth and sports initiatives and serves on the board of Neighbourhood Legal Services in Downtown Toronto
Panelist: Ahmed Abdi is a 4th-Term Carpenter, NexGen Building and Community Benefits Ambassador who has worked on both the Eglinton W LRT and West Park Healthcare Centre. Ahmed has been instrumental in recruiting new community members into the skill trades, and is a longtime resident of the Mount Dennis community
Panelist: John Munio is a 2nd Term Carpenter with Carpenters Local 27, working on the Finch West LRT. He has also worked on the Jane/Finch Maintenance and Storage Facility for the LRT and is currently working at the Humber College Terminal Station. He hopes to reach Journyperson level by December 2024. One day at a time! One build at a time! One community transformed at a time!
Panelist: Jamaal Myers was born and raised in Scarborough and proudly calls Scarborough home. As an avid community organizer and skilled lawyer, he's worked with residents and local organizations to create good jobs, affordable homes and better transit for Scarborough. His drive to deliver results for his community has led him to run for Toronto City Council, Ward 23 - Scarborough North, in the upcoming municipal election.
Panelist: Khairiya Ahmed has been a resident of Lawrence Heights for over 10 years. She is one of the members of Lawrence Revitalization Coalition. She is passionate about her community.